Friday, December 9 2005 14:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (Dec 9,2005) rejected in Lok Sabha the Opposition demand for setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe Volcker findings on pay-offs in Iraqi oil deals, saying the Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority had already started its work and its scope was 'very wide.'

"I do not see that any purpose will be served by a JPC at this stage", Leader of the House and Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee responded after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Deputy Leader V K Malhotra raised the issue.

Mukherjee said the Opposition first asked for a CBI probe, then demanded that an FIR be filed and 'now, suddenly they want a JPC'.

Emphasizing that all 'new factors' relating to the Volcker issue would be sent to the Inquiry Authority, he said, "To suggest a completely new mechanism is not acceptable".